Volunteers are needed this evening in Manchester and Portsmouth, and tomorrow evening in Concord! The New Hampshire House has already passed the legalization bill once this year in a 209-147 vote. Unfortunately, while the first vote on HB 481 was lopsided, it did not reach the two-thirds majority that would be needed to override a veto. We urgently need to continue gaining momentum, so it is very important that representatives hear from supporters before the next vote, which will take place this…

We will need two-thirds majorities to overcome Gov. Sununu's veto threat — if you live in N.H., call your state representatives today! New Hampshire's legalization bill, HB 481, has been scheduled for a vote in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Feb. 27. Gov. Chris Sununu has made it clear that he will veto the bill if it reaches his desk, but it will be possible to override his veto if at least two-thirds of the House and Senate can be convinced to support the bill. Please call or email…

On Wednesday, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott vetoed a bill that would have made marijuana legal for adults in Vermont, but offered “a path forward” for passing it later this year. He specified a handful of changes that would need to be made for him to support the measure and said he believes the legislature has time to incorporate them and enact a revised version during the summer veto session. MPP's Matt Simon responded in a press release: We are disappointed by the governor’s decision to veto this widely…

On Thursday, Vermont’s marijuana legalization bill was delivered to the desk of Governor Phil Scott. He will now have five days to decide whether to sign S. 22 into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature. In its final version, S. 22 would eliminate penalties for adults’ possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, two or fewer mature plants, and four or fewer immature plants, effective on July 1, 2018. The bill would also create a study commission to craft legislation on how…

[caption id="attachment_9096" align="alignright" width="240"] Gov. Bruce Rauner[/caption] Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has taken an important step on a bill that would help thousands of Illinoisans avoid arrest, jail, and harmful criminal convictions for the possession of a personal amount of marijuana. The governor has used his authority to amend several key provisions of HB 218 and is sending it back to the legislature for another vote. If you are an Illinois resident, please take a moment to ask…

[caption id="attachment_8810" align="alignright" width="200"] Gov. Larry Hogan (PHOTO: Washington Post)[/caption] Late Friday afternoon, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) vetoed SB 517 — a common-sense bill that would decriminalize marijuana paraphernalia. His veto is deeply disappointing. If we can garner votes from three-fifths of the House and three-fifths of the Senate, his veto will be overridden and the measure will become law. If you are a Maryland resident, please email your state delegate(s)…

Earlier this month, Gov. John deJongh Jr. of the U.S. Virgin Islands stated that he supported decriminalizing marijuana, despite the fact that he vetoed a bill that would reduce penalties at the end of 2014. The Senate overrode his initial veto, adding the Virgin Islands to the list of U.S. territories that are changing their marijuana policies. Sen. Terrence Nelson sponsored the measure, which is now law, to decriminalize the possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana and make it a civil offense…

It came as no surprise when New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat serving his fourth and final term, vetoed SB 409 today. Gov. Lynch vetoed a similar bill in 2009, and he has avoided meeting with patients who hoped to educate him on the subject, so this veto was unfortunate but very much expected. Despite the governor’s opposition, this bill has earned majority support in both parties and both chambers of the legislature. All eyes will now be on the House and Senate next Wednesday, June 27, when…

Republican legislators nationwide should perk up their ears and take notice of what is happening in New Hampshire, where a Republican-sponsored medical marijuana bill has blazed a trail of surprising successes. SB 409 had already passed the Republican-dominated Senate March 28, and today the 400-member House, which is about 75% Republican, voted 236-96 in favor, with strong bipartisan support. Unfortunately, Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat, announced in advance of the House vote that he intends to veto…

Last week, a number of medical marijuana patients and supporters, including MPP’s Dan Riffle, were at the Maryland statehouse to testify on the need to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest. Here is some TV coverage of the hearing: The bill, sponsored by Sen. David Brinkley, is based on one of two draft bills proposed by members of Maryland’s medical marijuana workgroup. Only one version, the one suggested by Del. Dan Morhaim and MPP’s director of state policies Karen O’Keefe, would provide…